Emma Raducanu welcomed back with ‘open arms’ to Great Britain team says Katie Boulter – ‘We’ve missed her’

Katie Boulter says Emma Raducanu has been “missed” and will be welcomed back with “open arms” as she makes her Billie Jean King Cup return for Great Britain.

The 2021 US Open champion hasn’t played for Great Britain since making her debut against the Czech Republic in 2022.

Last year, she made herself unavailable to face France, but is in the squad to face the same opponents this weekend.

“I’m very pleased. We’ve missed her. We love having her back,” said British No. 1 Boulter to PA.

“Obviously, the No. 1 thing is that she’s healthy. I’ve always said it for myself and it’s my biggest wish for her as well is that she can stay as healthy as possible.

“We’re going to be welcoming her with open arms, for sure.”

Raducanu has dropped to No. 302 in the world rankings after missing most of last season due to surgery on her wrists and ankle.

This weekend she will be the lowest-ranked member of Great Britain’s team as they look to upset a strong-looking France, led by world No. 23 Caroline Garcia.

“It’s a brutal match-up,” said Boulter about facing France.

“We’ve already been in this place before and we had it at home. I think if anything it could help us, we are completely the underdogs. I think we’ve got a free swing.

“Garcia is clearly playing some very good tennis right now. But it’s another Billie Jean King Cup tie, anything can happen.

“We’ve got to keep it very realistic, it’s everyone’s first week on clay. It’s not my favourite surface but I’m very excited to get on it.

“I think we will come together as a team and keep trying to push each other, and I’m sure we’ll play some really good tennis.”

Boulter is only four spots behind Garcia in the rankings after a positive start to the year.

“It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind,” said Boulter. “In some aspects I’m surprised, in other aspects I’m not surprised at all, which shows that I’ve really put a lot of work in and I feel like I’m going in the right direction.

“I am very realistic at the same time. Not everything’s going to click every week. I think that’s where, going into the next part of the season (on clay), I’ve got a free swing, because it’s obviously something I’m not used to.

“It’s something fresh and exciting but this last month has been a massive, massive leap for me.”